5

(NB: If this question starts out looking very familiar to you, this is because it is in fact my second question about the same snippet of text. The first one is this one: "andern" vs "anderen" .)

The citation below is the Duden's definition of vorausfahren (my emphasis):

schon vorher, früher als ein anderer oder vor [einem] andern her irgendwohin fahren

Q: What exactly does the highlighted her add to the meaning of the sentence above? In other words, what effect would it have to omit it?

(PS: Any reference work that you may be able cite in support of your answer would be much appreciated.)

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
8

Vor einem anderen her fahren means "to drive in front of somebody", typically leading the way. Vor einem anderen [irgendwohin] fahren is typically understood to mean a temporal "before". So if I say

Ich fahre vor Paul her nach Rom.

That means that I lead the way to our destination Rome and he drives right behind me.

Ich fahre vor Paul nach Rom.

That means I drive to Rome before Paul does. Maybe we meet there, but maybe he only goes there weeks later.

Improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.